Track-sander.



E. P. TABOR.

TRACK SANDER.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 28. 1915.

Patented Oat. 12, 1915.

nventor Attrneys EXW/mmf- Witnesses EDWARD P.. Tanon, oF WORCESTER, iyrAsslncI-rusnrrs.

pero.

.TRACK-SANDER.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD P. Tanon, a citizen of the United States, residing at liVorcester, in the county of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, havel invented a new and useful Track-Sander, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention is a track sander, and it is the object of the invention to provide a novel and improved appliance of that character capable of delivering lthe sand in an effective and desirable manner from the sand boX.

It is also the object of the invention to provide a track sander of unique construetion, which, however, is comparatively simf ple and inexpensive in construction, and which is thoroughly practical; and eilicient in operation.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafterdescribed and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed can be made with in the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit; ofthe invention.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanving drawing, wherein Figure 1 is a plan view of the improved track sander. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section thereof taken on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1, portions being shown in elevation. Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section taken on the line of Fig. 2, illustrating one end of the sand box or receptacle.

ln carrying out the invention, there is provided an uprightk or upstanding sand boX or receptacle 1 preferably constructed of sheet metal, although it may' be constructed in various manners. The sand boX 1 is provided with inclined upwardly converg ing sides 2, vertical ends 3 and 4, anda concaved or rounded bottom 5. The end 3 of the sand box is provided with an outstanding discharge spout 6 adjacent the bottom 5, and the other end 4 is provided with an upwardly opening vertical slot 7 terminating at its lower end close adjacent to the bottom 5. The end 4 has a notch or seat 9 at the lower end or terminal of the slot 7,

Speccation of Letters Patent.

Patented oct. 121, 1915.

Application filed .Tune 28, 1915. Serial No. 36,786.

The slot 7 is relatively wide, while thenotch 9 is of comparatively small width. The end 4 isalso provided with outwardly reiiexed or bent back lips 8 along the side edges of the slot 7, and which form guides for a vertically movable closure plate 10. The vertically elongated closure plate 10 which normally closes the slot 7 is provided with refieXed edges 11 interiitting with the reiiexed lips 8, to guide the plate 10 for vertical movement upon the end 4 of the boX, and to normally hold the plate 10 against horizontal displacement. The plate 10 normally closes the slot 7 and completes the end 4 of the sand box. The lower end of the plate 10 has a small notch 12 cooperating with the notch 9.

The sand box 1 is secured in any suitable manner upon the floor 18 of the street car, the present device being adapted especially for use on electric street cars, although it may he employed upon locomotives or railroad cars as well. The floor or support 13 is provided with an opening 14 over which the spout 6' projects. whereby the sand delivered from the sand box through the spout 6 will gravitate or drop through the openingf14 to, be delivered onto the rails of the track, a suitable chute or chutes being employed;` if necessary, for directing the sand from the opening 14 onto the rails.

A horizontal or longitudinal shaft 15 is provided between its ends with a convever worm 16 disposed within the lower portion of the sand boX immediately above the bottom 5 thereof and projecting partially into the spout 6. One end of the worm 16 bears against the end 4 of the sand box, and the respective portion of the shaft 15 is seated within the notch 9 to journal the shaft 15 for rotation, the other end of the shaft 15 being journaled within a suitable bearing or pedestal 17 secured upon the floor 13 at that side of the opening 14 remote from the sand box. The shaft 15 has a. collar 18 bearing against the bearing 17 to hold the worm 16 in place within the sand boX. The notch 12 of the closure plate 10 also receives the shaft 15, to hold the shaft seated within the notch 9, and to prevent the escape of sand through the notches 9 and 12 around the shaft 15. That end of the shaft 15 remote from the bearing 17 is rotated by means of a suitable driving gear 19 having a clutch 20, whereby by the operation of the clutch 20, the rotation of the worm 16 may be started and stopped at will.

n operation, supposing the device to be properly installed, the sand is poured into the sand box through the upper longitudinal slot or mouth thereof, and due to the fact that the side walls of the sand box diverge downwardly, the sand will readily gravitate to the bottom ofthe sand box around the conveyer worm 16. This is true even if wet or moist sand is used, since the sand will not tend to clog within the sand box, and will under all conditions drop downwardly onto and around the conveyer worm, so that when the worm is rotated, it will break up and carry the sand outwardly through the spout G to be delivered onto the rails. W'henever the motorman or operator desires to sand the track, the clutch 2O is operated to connect the shaft 15 with the driving element, whereby the worm 16 is rotated, and this will cause the said worm to eject the sand out through the spout 6. When suilicient sand is ejected, the clutch 2O is operated to break the connection between the driving element and the worm shaft, and the discharge of the sand will therefore be stopped immediately.

In case it is necessary to remove the worm 16 for purpose of repair, replacement, examination or cleaning, this may be readily done by sliding the plate 10 upwardly off of the end wall el of the sand box, which will,

open the slot 7 and release the respective end of the shaft 15. The shaft 15 may then be lifted upwardly within the slot 7 out of the notch 9, and the shaft with its Worm` may then be drawn out of the sand box through the slot 7, the worm 16 being removed from the spout 6 andthe shaft 15 being drawn out of the bearing 17. Conversely, the parts may be readily assembled.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A track sander comprising an upright sand box having upwardly converging sides, a concaved bottom, an upper longitudinal filling slot, and a delivery spout at one end adjacent its bottom, and a shaft journaleol through the other end of the sand box adjacent the bottom thereof and having a conveyer worm within the sand box adjacent the bottom thereof and projecting into said spout.

2. A track sander comprising a sand box having a delivery spout at one end, a vertical slot at its other end, and a seat at the lower end of said slot, a shaft seated in said seat and having a conveyer worinV within the sandbox projecting to said spout, and a vertically slidable closure carried by the second mentioned end of the sand box to close said slot and to hold the shaft seated in said seat.

3. A track sander comprising a sand box having a delivery spout at one end, a vertical slot at the other end, a notch at the lower end of the slot, and guides along the `edges of the slot, a shaft seated in said notch and having a conveyer worm within the' sand box extending from the second mentioned end thereof into said spout, and a vertically movable plate engaging said guides to close said slot and having a notch at its lower end receiving said shaft.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

Vitnesses E. H. JoHNsoN, HELEN D. LANE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

Washngtoml). C. 

